Lean Library

A library-approved tool to unlock access to academic papers.

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Lean Library: Unlock Academic Papers instantly

Lean Library is a free-to-use Chrome extension that acts as your personal library tool. It provides instant and legal access to a vast number of academic papers and facilitates access to your library's content whenever and wherever needed. It also offers direct support in the systems and webpages you use most for research, such as Google Scholar and PubMed. Lean Library can be utilized by those affiliated with an institution or by independent researchers, with redirection to open-access materials provided free.

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Extension stats

By: https://www.technologyfromsage.com

Users: 200,000+

Rating: 3.58

(115)

0.03

Version: 2025.1.0 (Last updated: 2025-01-23)

Creation date: 2020-07-01

Risk impact: High risk impact

Risk likelihood:

Very low risk likelihood

Manifest version: 3

Permissions:

storage
tabs
alarms
activeTab
webNavigation
contextMenus
unlimitedStorage

Host permissions:

http://*/*
https://*/*
<all_urls>

Size: 12.23M

Email: su*****@leanlibrary.com

URLs: Website ,Privacy policy

Ranking

# 1,645 ▲ 11

Other rankings

#141 in Workflow & Planning ▲ 1 #3 in library keyword 31 #20 in free access keyword 69 ▲ 2 #168 in research keyword 28 ▲ 3 #257 in download keyword 72 ▲ 13

Other platforms

Not available on Android

Lean Library (v2024.32.0)

2.86

(56) 13,898+

Lean Library (v2024.31.0)

3.80

(6) 85,848+

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Extension summary

Analyze keywords

Put your library on your shoulder as you research

The Lean Library extension is a free tool which assists your library in delivering their services directly into your research workflow!

With the Lean Library extension, you can unlock access instantly and legally to millions of academic papers, streamline access to your library content whenever and wherever you might need it and get direct support within systems and web pages you use the most like Google Scholar, PubMed and thousand more!

Ready to start using Lean Library?

Install the extension, select your institution and begin researching! Even if you aren’t affiliated to an institution, you can still get quick and seamless redirection to open access materials absolutely free by downloading the extension and selecting Lean Library Open as your library.

Lean Library is a fantastic complement to other research tools you may already use including LibKey Nomad, EndNote Click and many more.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.

Pros

Enhances access to academic resources and materials
Saves time for students and researchers
User-friendly interface that simplifies library usage
Integrates well with university libraries and provides notifications for available resources
Great tool for discovery of library resources and Open Access versions

Cons

Crashes or slows down certain websites like YouTube
Needs to be reconfigured after every update
Bugs affecting compatibility with applications like Qualtrics
High memory usage when the extension is running
Limited signposting from universities about its availability

Most mentioned

Provides direct access to licensed library content
Saves time and enhances research workflow
Requires periodic re-configuration after updates
Crashes or slows down browser when active
Positive feedback from university users and staff

User reviews

Andy Hails, 2025-01-23

Good tool to get notified when an scientific article or ebook is available through campus licences or when an Open Access version is available. If threre is no e-version available, interlibrary loan is offered.